Need to quickly make a bank transfer? Worried about the long queues and the time it takes to complete your transactions? Worry no more! With the convenience of USSD codes, you can make transfers in just a few clicks.
USSD codes provide you with control and convenience, allowing you to transact with ease. In this article, we’ll explain all that you need to know about USSD codes, from what they are and how they work to the full list of Nigerian banks’ USSD codes.
Whether you need to check your balance or send money to a friend, there’s a banking code that can help get it done faster. Let’s dive into it and see how this technology is making banking easier for everyone!
What is USSD Banking?
Have you ever wondered what USSD banking is? It stands for Unstructured Supplementary Service Data, and it’s an easy way to access banking services on your mobile device. USSD codes are short numbers, usually starting with a * (star) and ending with a # (hash or pound) key, that allows you to perform a variety of financial transactions, such as topping up airtime, transferring funds, paying bills, and more. Best of all, you don’t need an internet connection; you just need the right numerical code to get started.
Using USSD codes is fast and convenient; all you have to do is enter the code and follow the simple instructions given by your service provider. On top of that, it can also be used on any type of phone, so it’s perfect for those who don’t use smartphones.
It’s no wonder Nigerian banks are increasingly offering USSD services as a way for their customers to conveniently access their banking services from anywhere at any time.
How Does USSD Banking Work?
A USSD shortcode is used to establish two-way communication between the bank and the customer. In order to direct the customer to the services they require, the responses next appear as a pop-up (screen prompt) with numbered menus and tied service options.
You must activate the USSD code on your mobile phone using your preferred phone number before using it for any bank transactions. Before you can access certain financial services, you often need to have a registered account with the bank or already have one.
In order to authorize all transactions, you would also need to create a 4 or 5-digit transaction PIN. This PIN can also act as a barrier to stop fraudsters or imposters from accessing your account. But just like any other security lapse, if someone gets their hands on your ATM card or other sensitive information, they might be able to change or compromise your PIN. You must always exercise caution when using your card, personal information, and mobile device. Also, it is not a good idea to keep your PIN on your phone or use a PIN that is simple to decipher, such as your date of birth or house number.
List of Nigerian Banks’ USSD Codes
Do you want to know the USSD codes for Nigerian banks? This is pretty important information if you’re looking to check account balances, transfer money, and do other banking-related activities without visiting a branch. Here’s a list of Nigerian Banks and their respective USSD codes:
- Access (Diamond) Bank Code is *901#
- EcoBank code is *326#
- Fidelity Bank code is *770#
- First Bank code is *894#
- First City Monument Bank (FCMB) code is *329#
- Guaranty Trust Bank (GTB) code is *737#
- Heritage Bank code is *745#
- JAIZ Bank code is *389*301#
- Keystone Bank code is *7111#
- Polaris Bank code is *833#
- Sterling Bank code is *822#
- United Bank for Africa (UBA) code is *919#
- Union Bank code is *826#
- Unity Bank code is *7799#
- Wema Bank code is *945#
- Zenith Bank code is *966#
- Stanbic IBTC Bank code is *909#
FCMB USSD Codes
The official FCMB USSD bank transfer code is *329#, and it can be used to complete a lot of bank transactions.
Here are the codes for FCMB USSD BANKING:
Dial *329*Amount# to top-up your mobile phone.
*329*Amount*Mobile number# to top-up other mobile phones.
*329*Amount*Account number# to transfer funds.
*329*00# to check balance.
*329*0# to reset your pin.
Dial *329*2*Smartcard Number# to subscribe for DSTv or GOTv.
*329*1*Mobile Number# to buy data on your phone.
First Bank USSD Codes
The official code for first bank transfer is *894#; however, there are other subcodes that will make your transactions faster.
Here are the codes for FIRST BANK USSD BANKING:
To register an account: *894*0#
To Airtime recharge (Self): *894*Amount#
To recharge Airtime for others: *894*Amount*Number#
To Make a transfer: *894*Amount*Account number#
To check airtime: *894*00#
To generate Mini-statement: *894*Account number#
Polaris Bank USSD Codes
Polaris Bank transfer code which is *833#. With this code, you can buy airtime, Data, and transfer money. To utilize Polaris (Skye) Bank Money Transfer Code, you need to register an account first.
Here are the codes for POLARIS BANK USSD BANKING:
To Open an Account: *833*1#
To Pay Bills: *833*2#
To Transfer Money: Dial *833*AMOUNT*ACCOUNT NUMBER#
To Update your BVN: *833*5#
To Check your Account Balance: *833*6#
To Pay with MasterPass: *833*7#
To Buy Airtime for yourself: Dial *833*AMOUNT#
To Buy Airtime for others or yourself: Dial *833*AMOUNT*PHONE NUMBER#
Access USSD Banking
The official Access Bank USSD banking code for making transactions is *901#.
Here are the codes for ACCESS BANK USSD BANKING:
Airtime for self: *901*Amount#
Airtime for others: *901*Amount*Phone Number#
Account Opening: *901*0#
Data Purchase: *901*8#
Balance Enquiry: *901*5#
Fund Transfer to Access Bank: *901*1*Amount*Account Number#
Fund Transfer to Other Banks: *901*2*Amount*Account Number#
Merchant Payment: *901*3*Amount*Merchant Code#
Bill Payment: *901*3#
OTP Generation: *901*4*1#
Sterling Bank USSD Codes
Sterling Bank USSD code is *822#. You can use this code to buy airtime, pay bills, and even transfer money.
Here are the codes for ACCESS BANK USSD BANKING:
To Buy airtime self: *822*AMOUNT#
To Buy airtime for others: *822*AMOUNT*MOBILE NO#
Sterling bank within transfer: *822*4*AMOUNT*NUBAN#
Sterling bank to other: *822*5*AMOUNT*NUBAN#.
To Check account balance: *822*6#
To Check account number: *822*8#
To Open an account: *822*7#
To reset your Pin: *822*9#
Wema Bank USSD Codes
The official transfer code for Wema Bank is *945#; you can use it to complete other transactions.
Here are the codes for WEMA BANK USSD BANKING:
To Buy Airtime: *945*phone Number*amount#
To Send Money: *945*beneficiary account number*amount#
To make Balance Enquiry: *945*0#
To Change PIN: *945*00#
To Get your Account Number: *945*000#
To Open an Account: *945*1#
To change account number: *945*2*old account number*new account number#
Account Reactivation: *945*5#
Zenith Bank USSD Codes
You can effortlessly transfer money from Zenith Bank to other Nigerian banks by using the USSD code *966#. You have to dial the following code to complete Zenith mobile banking:
Here are the codes for ZENITH BANK USSD BANKING:
To Open an account: *966*0#
To Check account balance: *966*00#
To Top-up your airtime: *966*Amount*Mobile Number#
To transfer funds: Dial *966*Amount*Account Number#, then follow the on-screen prompts.
To Update your BVN: *966*BVN#
To Reset PIN: *966*60#
To Deactivate mobile banking: *966*20*0#
To Pay DStv and PHCN: *966*7*Amount*Customer ID#
To Pay other Zenith Billers: *966*6*Biller code*Amount#
Fidelity Bank USSD Codes
Fidelity transfer code is *770#, and it can be used to complete the following transaction:
Here are the codes for FIDELITY BANK USSD BANKING:
Self-recharge: Dial *770*AMOUNT#
To Recharge For A Friend Or Family: Dial *770*PHONE*AMOUNT#
To transfer funds: Dial *770*ACCOUNT*AMOUNT#
Unity Bank USSD Codes
Unity Bank transfer code is *7799#, and it can be used to complete the following transaction.
Here are the codes for UNITY BANK USSD BANKING:
Balance inquiry: *7799*0#
Bet9ja Wallet funding: *7799*403*Bet9ja ID*amount#
To Block an account: *7799*9*phonenumber#
BVN verification: *7799*5#
Self recharge: *7799*Amount#
Third-party Airtime Recharge: *7799*Phone number*amount#
To make Transfer to Other banks: *7799*2*account number*amount#
Transfer to Unity Bank: *7799*1*accountno*amount#
USSD on POS *7799*000*RefID#
Union Bank USSD Codes
You can effortlessly transfer money from Union Bank to other Nigerian banks by using the USSD code *826#. You have to dial the following code to complete Zenith mobile banking:
Here are the codes for UNION BANK USSD BANKING:
Airtime Top-Up for Others: *826*amount*recipient’s mobile number#
Airtime Top-Up for Self: *826*amount#
To Check Account Balance: *826#
To Create PIN: *826*5#
To Register: *826#
To MakeTransfer to Other banks: *826*2*amount*account number#
To make Transfer to Union Account: *826*1*amount*account no#
UBA USSD ShortCodes
The official transfer code for UBA Bank is *919#; you can use it to complete other transactions.
Here are the codes for UBA BANK USSD BANKING:
Airtime Top-Up for Others: *919* Phone number* Amount#
Airtime Top-Up for Self: *919*Amount#
ATM cardless withdrawal: *919*30*Amount#
To Check balance: *919*00#
To Load UBA Prepaid Card: *919*32#
To Pay bills: *919*5#
To Transfer to Other banks *919*4*account number*amount#
To Transfer to UBA Account *919*3*account number*amount#
Ecobank USSD Codes
Ecobank USSD code is *326#. You can use this code to buy airtime, pay bills, and even transfer money.
Here are the codes for ECOBANK USSD BANKING:
Airtime Top-Up for Others: *326*Amount*PhoneNumber#
Airtime Top-Up for Self: *326*Amount#
To Check Account Balance: *326*0#
To Pay bills: *326#
Transfer to Ecobank Account: *326#
Transfer to Other banks: *326#
GTBank USSD Codes
GTBank transfer code which is *737#. With this code, you can buy airtime, Data, and transfer money. To utilize GTBank Money Transfer Code, you need to register an account first.
Here are the codes for GTBank USSD BANKING:
Account Opening: *737*0#
Airtime Top-Up for Others: *737*Amount*Recipient’s number#
Airtime Top-Up for Self: *737*amount#
To Check Account Number/Check Balance/BVN: *737*6*1#
To Create PIN: *737*5#
Data Top-Up: *737*4#
To Make Enquiries: *737*6#
To Reactivate Account: *737*11#
To Transfer to GTBank Account: *737*1*Amount*Account Number#
To Transfer to Other banks: *737*2*Amount* Account Number#
Heritage Bank USSD Codes
The official transfer code for Heritage Bank is *745#; you can use it to complete other transactions.
Here are the codes for Heritage Bank USSD BANKING:
Airtime (Self): *745*Amount#
Airtime (Others): *745*Amount*MobileNumber#
Balance Enquiry: *745*0#
Bet9ja Top-up: *745*222*Bet9jaUserID*Amount#
To Block Your Account from any phone: *745*11#
To Change USSD PIN: *745*00#
Transfer to a Heritage Bank Account: *745*1*Amount*AccountNumber#
Transfer to Other Banks: *745*2*Amount*AccountNumber#
Keystone Bank USSD Codes
The official Keystone USSD bank transfer code is *7111#, and it can be used to complete a lot of bank transactions.
Here are the codes for Heritage Bank USSD BANKING
To Activate Your Debit Card: *7111*9*123#
To Change your default Top-up Account: *7111*Account Number#
To Check Account Balance: *7111*00#
Mobile Data Top-Up: *7111*5#
To Pay bills: *7111*2#
To Recharge for others: *7111*Amount*Phone Number#
To Recharge your phone: *7111*Amount#
To Send Money: *7111*Amount* Account Number#
USSD Registration: *7111*0#
Stanbic IBTC Bank USSD Codes
Stanbic IBTC Bank USSD code is *909#. You can use this code to buy airtime, pay bills, and even transfer money.
Here are the codes for Stanbic IBTC Bank USSD BANKING
Airtime Top-Up for Others: *909*Amount*phone number#
Airtime Top-Up for Self: *909*Amount#
To Check Account Balance: *909*1*1#
To Transfer to Other Banks: *909*22*Amount*Account Number#
To Transfer to Stanbic Account: *909*11*Amount*Account Number#
Benefits of Using USSD Codes
When it comes to banking in Nigeria, many people are turning to USSD codes as a way to access their accounts.
Using USSD codes has some major advantages. Here are just some of them:
Convenience
USSD codes are convenient because they allow you to access your bank account on any mobile phone or device without having to download a separate app.
Speed
You can access your account quickly with just a few clicks on your phone, which makes it ideal for urgent money transfers or checking your balance.
Accuracy
By using shortcodes, you can ensure that you are entering the correct information before making any transactions since they require confirmation before executing any actions.
Flexibility
With a range of different codes for different banks and services, you can easily access the information or service you need without having to remember complicated numbers and passwords from each individual bank or service provider.
Availability
Unlike SMS messages, USSD codes are accessible on all networks and don’t require internet access meaning that anyone can use them no matter where they are or what network they’re on!
Integration
Many banks now offer integrated services that allow users to access multiple accounts from one platform.
Guide on How to Use a Bank’s USSD Code
Using a bank code is easy once you know how. All you need to do is dial the USSD code of the relevant bank, and you’ll be taken to the bank’s menu. From there, use your keypad to select options and follow the instructions.
Here’s how it works:
- Pick up your phone and dial the *USSD CODE# of your Bank
- On your phone screen, you’ll be presented with a list of options like Buy Airtime, Pay Bills, Transfer Money, and more
- Use your keypad to select the option you want (e.g., if you want to make transfer, press 1)
- Follow the instructions on the screen – you may need to enter an amount or recipient details
- Once completed, a receipt will be sent to your email or phone number as confirmation
- Your transaction is complete!
With USSD codes, transactions are processed quickly and securely, making it easier than ever for customers in Nigeria to access banking services without having to visit a branch in person.
Conclusion
It’s no secret that USSD codes are a great way to quickly and easily manage your banking in Nigeria. With this comprehensive list of Nigerian bank USSD codes, you now have all the details you need to make your banking transactions in Nigeria more convenient.
No matter which bank you use, you’ll be able to check your balance, transfer funds, and more with these convenient USSD codes. So have a closer look at the list, save and use these codes to make banking in Nigeria a breeze.